Marisa Calihan is one of the twenty castaways of Survivor: Samoa. The 26-year-old was born on a farm in Ohio, where she earned her independent streak growing up in a blended family—eight siblings and many adopted children. The first generation Appalachian has also traveled the world, having been to countries from Spain to El Salvador, and has seen the plight of third world countries first hand. She recently returned home to take care of her family, and also to study.

She aims to win the million dollars so she can help her family get through. With her mix of ingenuity and creativity, as well as her independent streak and the survival skills she learned growing up, she thinks she has what it takes to win the competition.